CATEGORY 126 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST Gamma Talk by Gamma Tech Navigating compliance: the importance of your Radiation Management License By Makenzie Harris & Martina Dietrich RADIATION SAFETY Ensuring your practice is compliant with NSW radiation regulations is your legal requirement. It’s also vital for the safety of your staff and patients. The first key aspect is holding a valid Radiation Management License (RML). Your RML is issued by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA). It ensures that owners of radiographic equipment have taken the necessary measures to control and minimise exposure to ionising radiation, within the practice. It’s also required that every x-ray unit, OPG, or CBCT in the practice is registered and listed on the license and that each unit holds a valid Certificate of Compliance, issued by a qualified Consulting Radiation Expert (CRE). How to obtain an EPA Radiation Management License Apply for your RML through the EPA’s online license management tool: eConnect EPA. Here you can access all information relating to your application, including requirements, conditions and fees. It’s also where you register equipment and make variations. The license should be acquired before installing your x-ray equipment. It is recommended to apply well in advance, as the issuance process may take several weeks. Distinguishing between your Radiation Management License and Radiation User License A Radiation Management License and a Radiation User License are distinct licenses. The latter is required for those who operate radiographic equipment within the practice, with specific terms and conditions that vary depending on the modality. If you operate x-ray units, refer to the EPA website for information on the criteria and conditions of Radiation User Licenses in NSW. Renewal of your Radiation Management License If you are the owner of the x-ray equipment in your practice, it is compulsory that you hold a valid RML for the duration that you own and operate the equipment. It is your responsibility to renew your EPA licenses prior to expiring. The EPA will send you a reminder, but you can also check the expiry on your RML or through your eConnect EPA portal. By staying up-to-date with your RML, you ensure that you are operating in compliance with regulations, and maintaining the highest standard of safety. What happens if I don’t hold a valid RML while owning and operating x-ray units? The Radiation Control Act 1990 No 13 outlines that the person responsible for regulated material must hold an RML and must comply with any conditions attached to it. It also specifies the penalties for noncompliance. In NSW, 1 penalty unit equals $110.00 (as of January 2023). A corporate practice can be fined up to 1,500 penalty units ($165,000) and a private practice up to 250 penalty units ($27,500) – or 2 years imprisonment, or both. Therefore, it is in the best interest of dental practices to ensure their RML is valid and up-to-date at all times. Why are the penalties for noncompliance with NSW regulations so high? The penalties can be substantial, but they exist for a vital reason: to protect the health and safety of everyone who enters your practice. The ionising radiation produced by x-ray equipment can be hazardous if not properly managed and regulated. This underscores the importance of ensuring your dental practice is in compliance with the relevant regulations, beginning with the possession of a valid RML. To ensure that your practice is in good standing, take a few minutes today to confirm the following: 1. Is your practice’s RML up-to-date and valid? 2. Are all your x-ray units correctly documented on the RML? 3. Do you have a valid compliance certificate for each piece of x-ray equipment, or a copy of your portal assessment if certified after July 2022? u If you have any questions or concerns about your obligations under the Radiation Control Act or EPA regulations, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Gamma Tech. We’ll be happy to assist you in achieving compliance and maintaining a safe environment for your patients and staff. P: 0437 230 808 E: service@gammatech.com.au W: www.gammatech.com.au eConnect EPA is the EPA’s online licence management tool, where you can access all pertinent information related to your RML. Example of a Radiation Management License issued by the NSW EPA
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTc3NDk3Mw==